Ram has revealed its new mid-size dual-cab pickup, the Ram Dakota Nightfall Concept, designed to directly take on the Toyota Hilux. However, it will be sold exclusively in Latin American markets.
The Dakota Nightfall Concept was unveiled for the first time at an event in São Paulo, Brazil. The production version will be assembled at Stellantis’ plant in Córdoba, Argentina starting in 2026, and will target only the Latin American region.
Interestingly, the use of the “Dakota” name is notable, as it was previously rumored to be reserved for Ram’s upcoming global mid-size pickup. According to the latest information, however, the production Dakota Nightfall will be based on the Changan F70 platform and will be limited to Latin America, much like the Ram 1200, which also shares the F70 underpinnings.
The Dakota Nightfall comes with a Ram-style grille featuring bold block-letter badging and slim headlights, along with a full-width light bar. Three amber marker lights are embedded within the upper air intake, inspired by the Ram 1500 TRX, complemented by muscular wheel-arch extensions and redesigned LED tail-lights.
For off-road performance, it benefits from raised suspension tuned by Fox, 33-inch all-terrain tires, and 18-inch beadlock alloy wheels, with a spare tire mounted in the tub.
Ram hasn’t announced official engine details. However, if it follows the Ram 1200 – also based on the Changan F70 and sold in Mexico – it may use a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 157 kW (213 hp) and 306 Nm of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, and offering up to 3,000 kg towing capacity.
The new Dakota will be the second vehicle built at Stellantis’ Córdoba plant, following the Fiat Titano, which entered production earlier this year. The Titano is powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine producing 147 kW (200 hp) and 401–450 Nm of torque (depending on transmission), with towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg.
The Dakota name was previously used on Dodge’s mid-size pickup for three generations in North America. In 2011, its final year, it was briefly badged as the Ram Dakota before production ceased. Ram could still potentially use the Dakota nameplate for a future global mid-size pickup, as it’s not uncommon for automakers to sell different vehicles with the same name in different regions. Examples include the Chevrolet Trailblazer, which exists as a ladder-frame SUV in Latin America and as a smaller unibody crossover in Korea and North America. For now, however, Changan-based Ram pickups – including the Dakota Nightfall and Rampage – remain limited to Latin America. Despite this, Ram still lacks a direct rival in the US market for the popular Ford Maverick compact pickup.
Source: CarExpert
